Thursday, October 31, 2013

http://news.nationalgeographic.com - Halloween 2013 should be less scary in the United States than last year's holiday, when the monstrous Hurricane Sandy savaged parts of the U.S. Northeast. Despite the storm, 2012 featured record participation and spending that, even with a small 2013 downturn, show Halloween's steady growth as a prominent date on the American social calendar. Today's mix of parties, pranks, and profit is a far cry from Halloween's ancient origins. Over the centuries the celebration has seen a lot of changes. Halloween's origins date back more than 2,000 years. On what we consider November 1, Europe's Celtic peoples celebrated their New Year's Day, called Samhain (SAH-win). On Samhain eve - what we know as Halloween - spirits were thought to walk the Earth as they traveled to the afterlife.Fairies, demons, and other creatures were also said to be abroad. In addition to sacrificing animals to the gods and gathering around bonfires, Celts often wore costumes - probably animal skins - to confuse spirits, perhaps to avoid being possessed. By wearing masks or blackening their faces, Celts are also thought to have impersonated dead ancestors. Young men may have dressed as women and vice versa, marking a temporary breakdown of normal social divisions.In an early form of trick-or-treating, Celts costumed as spirits are believed to have gone from house to house engaging in silly acts in exchange for food and drink - a practice inspired perhaps by an earlier custom of leaving food and drink outdoors as offerings to supernatural beings.

Celtic's Samhain celebration was later transformed as Christian leaders co-opted pagan holidays. In the seventh century Pope Boniface IV decreed November 1 All Saints' Day, or All Hallows' Day. The night before Samhain continued to be observed with bonfires, costumes, and parades, though under a new name: All Hallows' Eve - later “Halloween.” European immigrants brought Halloween to the United States. Halloween is always big business, it is considered that an Average American is spending $75 on Halloween in 2013 and the total expenditures for the holiday in the US, should reach $6.9 billion. In today's society, everyone, to some extent, pays tribute to the Market God. The festivals, like Halloween, is another example. We use our ability to buy in order to pacify the uncontrolled desires and thus we increase consumerism, without inquiring about the origin of these celebrations. One reason for this loss of control of desires is that we live dominated by our own mind, which delights itself in torturing us again and again. At every moment the mind wants something new, and when we get it, the mind tells us it does not want that thing anymore. Then, it starts wanting something else. Such is the alienation caused by the desire to buy and own material goods that we have lost the ability to distinguish between what is necessary and useless. We should pacify the mind and occupy it in the service of God. We must use our energy to enthuse others to control their desire to consume and search for the shelter of the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord. Only then we will feel true satisfaction. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

The year is full of holidays and special events unrelated to spiritual life. Even in India, where Janmashtami, the anniversary of Krishna’s divine birth, is a general festival, many other days are dedicated to the country or some ordinary, materialistic person. Outside of India, festival days sometimes even focus on demonic beings such as witches. ... If we wish to raise our children to be absorbed only in thoughts of Lord Krishna, how should we treat these secular holidays? One approach is, as far as possible, to ignore them. ... A second approach, therefore, is to find a way of relating nondevotional celebrations to Krishna. ... For example, one year on Halloween some of my high school girls dressed up as male devotees and went door to door selling Srila Prabhupada’s books. ... If we decide to have our children celebrate mundane occasions in the same way as the materialists, we greatly risk raising children whose idea of happiness is materialistic.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

http://edition.cnn.com - Despite food safety measures, the threat of foodborne illness remains in meat and produce - and some types of illness are on the rise. About 48 million people contract some form of food poisoning each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Salmonella remained the top cause of foodborne illness last year, according to the CDC's 2012 report card on food poisoning. However, the overall instance of Salmonella was unchanged from the 2006-08 data, the agency said.The report card is based on reports from 10 U.S. regions, representing about 15% of the country. The second most common cause of illness was Campylobacter, which increased 14% over the 2006-08 data, the CDC said.Campylobacter lives on live chickens and can taint meat during slaughter; it can also be found in raw, unpasteurized milk. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has an online reporting tool for those who think they might have a foodborne illness. “We applaud (Center for Science in the Public Interest) CSPI's ongoing efforts to educate consumers about food safety,” Dr. Elisabeth Hagen, the USDA's undersecretary for food safety, said in a statement.“While we have made progress in making food safer - including cutting E. coli O157-related illnesses in half - we still have work to do. As Salmonella rates continue to stagnate, we look forward to CSPI's support, and the support of other groups committed to food safety, of our efforts to reduce this dangerous foodborne pathogen, including modernization of the poultry inspection system.”

Chicken and ground beef top a list of “risky meat” published by the CSPI. Researchers from this group examined data from foodborne illness outbreaks over a 12-year period and found between 1998 and 2010, meat and poultry products were linked to “at least 1,714 outbreaks involving 33,372 illnesses.” Actually, these figures are just the tip of the iceberg, as many people do not seek medical attention for food poisoning and these cases are not reported. It is also alarming the number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that are found in chicken, pork and beef sold in supermarkets, which, when ingested by people, drastically reduces the number of options available to the physician to treat humans beings if you are sick. We must understand that fill our plate with the flesh and blood of our little brothers and sisters, the animals, is something that brings horrible reactions for both consumer health and for the planet's ecological situation. We must stop killing innocent animals and give an opportunity to the environment, by eating only healthy, organic food which has been produced with respect to animals and Mother Nature. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

In “Modern Meat,” Frontline speaks with numerous scientists and industry observers who raise serious concerns about today’s meat production system. With large numbers of animals being raised together in huge feedlots covered with feces, they say, it’s easy for bacteria to spread from one animal to another. “Cows tend to produce feces [and] feces is primarily bacteria,” says Glen Morris, a microbiologist at the University of Maryland and a former USDA official. When those bacteria are spread around, there’s ample opportunity for bacteria to be spread from one cow to the next. “In the larger feedlots,” he adds, “there’s a greater chance for the passage of microorganisms back and forth. All of that contributes to the spread of microorganisms like E. Coli.” ... The consequences of bacterial contamination can be deadly.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

http://vidayestilo.terra.com.ar - Mother's Day is celebrated worldwide . However, unlike other holidays, there is a discrepancy as to the date and each country celebrates it in different seasons. While Argentina is the only country in which it is celebrated on the third Sunday of October, in Spain is celebrated on the first Sunday of May, in Thailand in August and in other countries, such as Panama, in December.The first celebrations of Mother's Day dates back to ancient Greece, where they surrendered honor to Rhea, the mother of the gods Zeus, Poseidon and Hades. Later, the Romans took this celebration and named it Hilaria: which was held on 15 March in the temple of Cybele and during three days ​​offerings were made.The Catholic Church, transformed it into a celebration in honor of the Virgin Mary, and changed the date to December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. In the UK , Mothering Sunday is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent, also in honor of the Virgin and all the mothers. US President Woodrow Wilson declared Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May in the United States.The date was extended to 70 other countries, including Germany, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Italy, Japan, Peru, Ukraine, Venezuela and Uruguay. A week earlier, ie the first Sunday in May, it is celebrated in Spain, Portugal and South Africa. In other countries - Albania, Bosnia, Montenegro, Romania and Russia - Mother's Day is celebrated on March 8 as the International Women's Day, while in most Arab countries, this Day is celebrated on March 21.

Francis Pope recalled in front of thousands of people in St Peter's Square, that in his country of origin, Argentina, today is Mother's Day and sent “warm greetings” to all of them. Today, we also want to salute all mothers and extend our appreciation to all women who despite their struggle to participate in society and develop fully as individuals, yet have failed to have their rights widely recognized. It has been said that women do two-thirds of the work and produce half of food worldwide , but they only get 10% of the income and own 1 % of the property. This gender inequality and limited access to health and education are the main difficulties faced by women in many parts of the world, especially in rural areas. Also, such inequality is manifested on the differences in wages and opportunities in big cities, and also in the low representation of women in leadership positions in both public and private sectors . We must be aware that women, in addition to roles in society as citizens, have received from God the wonderful role of giving birth and He has entrusted the sacrificial, selfless and dedicated task of motherhood. Therefore, we as children, the least we can do for them is to love them, respect them, collaborate with them and make their work easier every day. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

What makes the mothers wonderful is that they have patience with their children, and they permit them to grow in this world surrounded by motherly love. The children hardly know what reality is in Kali Yuga as long as they are under the motherly protection. ... It is a bit amazing that there exists so little consciousness of service towards children and mothers in our world today. ... Lacking heroes and values, the child takes refuge in its own world and searches its own heroes in the world of illusion. Our children should find mother and father together, Krishna as the goal, the Vishnupriya ashram with weekly programs or more for children, appreciation among devotees, happy reunions, hard work and an enthusiasm to get purified to become a pure devotee of Krishna. This is the task of the men and of the mothers as well.

Friday, October 18, 2013

www.wakingtimes.com - The debate over the pros and cons of vegetarianism will continue forever, as different people have different needs and differing views on health and nutrition. There simply is no ‘one size fits all’ answer to the nutritional and health effects of reducing or quitting the consumption of meat and meat products, and what feels right and works for some, may not for others. Typically, this debate is centered around the nutritional pros and cons of eating meat, but in this day and age there are several other key reasons to take a second look at eating meat and animal products. Over the past few years, the public has learned a great deal about the meat industry and the evolution of its practices in getting farm animals to your plate, while continuing to maximize profit. Let's see if we can answer some new questions:1. What kind of meat is it? - A significant portion of the ‘beef’ sold in Europe contains horse meat, and it was found in many ‘beef products’ at popular eateries like Burger King and Taco Bell.2. What kinds of chemicals have been added to this meat? - It’s no secret that the meat industry overuses antibiotics, vaccinations, painkillers and growth hormones to maximize profit. These chemical residues are passed on to you when you consume treated meat.3. Is this meat even fresh? - The time between an animal’s death and your meal can be shockingly long in some cases, as the global business of importing and exporting means food sometimes travels thousands of miles just to get to your plate.4. Was this animal mistreated? - The current state of factory meat production is horrifyingly inhumane and grotesque. Animals are confined to torturous, un-natural conditions, beaten, abused and often sick.

Sarah Free, author of this article, explains that if slaughterhouses had glass walls the meat industry would collapse overnight, yet the cognitive dissonance associated with this makes it all too common to ignore the treatment of animals for our consumption. Common sense dictates that in order for food to nourish the body, it has to itself have been nourished and well-cared for, yet the gruesome holocaust against farm animals continues. Manufacturing processes which create the infamous ‘pink slime‘ found in up to 70% of processed meats, use industrial chemicals like ammonia gas to make the meat smell better and look more palatable. It is even said that investigators in South Africa recently discovered human tissues in meat samples from many provinces, indicating a widespread situation of high contamination. Apart from the above reasons, we must realize that animals are our younger brothers and sisters. They have incarnated in the bodies of animals and their consciences are not evolved and therefore they can not develop a relationship with God nor can inquire about the self. We, having a higher intelligence to seek transcendence, must take care for and protect them. If instead of doing it, we make them suffer and then we eat them, instead of raising our consciousness we will have regressed. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

Embodied souls pass through many species of life, but only as human beings do they accrue karma, as only in that condition is one's free will fully manifest. With free will comes responsibility. (...) Humans who misuse their free will have to lose their free will, at least for a time. Chapter sixteen of the Bhagavad-gita says that such human beings will have to take birth in lower species of life. Thus some souls in human dress later wear the dress of an animal and the degree of suffering or enjoyment they have in animal life is directly related to what they did in human life. Animals cannot create new karma because they are completely controlled by their nature. Similar to criminals being incarcerated by the state, souls wearing animal bodies serve out their karmic sentences until they are again eligible for a human form of life, where they will have another chance to act responsibly and progress toward liberation.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

- Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl who was shot by the Taliban in 2012 for speaking out about girls’ education rights, has been interviewed by Jon Stewart for The Daily Show. Malala Yousafzai sat down with Stewart to talk about her views on education and terrorism and how she plans to continue her fight to open up classrooms for girls all over the globe. Stewart was quick to praise Yousafzai’s new book and express how privileged he felt to meet her. But it was the moment when she talked about how she would react to the terrorist who wanted to take her life that shook him most. The Nobel Peace Prize nominee said that when she learned she was a target while living in Pakistan, she often thought about how she would react if she found herself face-to-face with a terrorist. At first, she thought she would fight back. But then she realized, she could not stoop to his level.“If you hit a Talib, then there would be no difference between you and the Talib,” she said. “You must not treat others with cruelty … You must fight others through peace and through dialogue and through education.” Once she decided she could not respond with violence, Yousafzai thought about what she would say to a terrorist. “I would tell him how important education is and that I would even want education for your children as well. That’s what I want to tell you,” she envisioned saying, “now do what you want.” After Stewart collected his thoughts, he made a pretty bold offer. “I know your father is backstage and he’s very proud of you,” Stewart said. “But would he be mad if I adopted you?” We were kind of thinking the same thing. We can't all adopt Malala, but we can support her fight for global education at the Malala Fund.

Jon Stewart is an American political satirist, television host and media critic, and he isn’t easily impressed. But last week, a 16-year-old Pakistani activist left this late-show host speechless when she talked about girls’ education rights and their implications in regard to poverty, health and basic human rights. One year after of being shot in the head by the Taliban she has recovered and dedicated herself to spur concrete action to provide compulsory education for young people worldwide. The Nobel Peace Prize contender explained that she does not want to take revenge on the man who shot her, because this would put her on the same level as the attacker. By contrast, she hopes to convince the man who tried to kill her on the importance of education, specially of providing education opportunities for girls and planning a different future for all. This teen has demonstrated the value of forgiving enemies. The person who lives thinking of retaliate fills his spirit of revenge; has his heart full of anger and is always restless with his mind constantly burning of hatred. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

Indian saints have classified the nature of human beings in three broad groups-'Sattvika', 'Rajasika' and 'Tamasika'. Sattvika people are wise, sincere, generous and non violent. As such they have an altruistic mentality and render disinterested (non-motivated) service. Rajasika people are egoists. However they are active and do good to others with the motive of getting a return of their actions for self-aggrandizement. They won't tolerate harm to themselves. They have got the spirit of taking revenge. Tamasika people are indolent, out and out egoists and of violent temper. They are indiscriminate in their pursuit of enjoyment, they completely disregard the interest of others and will do anything to fulfill their selfish desires. So ,'Sattvika', 'Rajasika" and 'Tamasika' people vary in their tastes, habits and nature.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

http://edition.cnn.com - Hundreds of Israelis on Monday bid an emotional farewell to Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, 93, the former Sephardic chief rabbi of Israel. The spiritual leader died at Jerusalem's Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital after medical complications from a stroke he suffered at the beginning of the year. Yosef was considered the leading authority in religious rulings in the realm of Jewish law.He was revered by many Israelis, both secular and religious, in particular those of Eastern origin. This popularity led him to play a unique role in Israel's nation-building. He will be remembered for his pivotal influence in Israeli politics after he formed the ultra-Orthodox Shas Party in 1984.Since its founding, the party has almost always been part of the governing coalition, and the rabbi had been a confidant of Israel's prime ministers. In September 1993, Shas, under Yosef's leadership, played an integral role in Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin's peace initiative that led to the forming of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Gaza.He interpreted the Halakhic, or Jewish religious law, principle of Pikuach Nefesh to mean that lives that are endangered by the Arab-Israeli conflict can be saved by overruling the commandment to settle the land. His interpretation was taken as the religious endorsement of the two-state solution, which calls for an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. Today, Shas' political influence wanes as it sits in the political opposition.

The influential spiritual leader of Israel's Sephardic Jewish community and the ultra-Orthodox Shas party died Monday at a Jerusalem hospital. He was 93. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, wielded enormous influence among Israeli Jews of Middle Eastern and North African ancestry but courted controversy with his outspoken views. Despite the rabbi's often sharp-tongued outbursts, he had for many years been an advocate of peace talks with the Palestinians based on his respect for the sanctity of life. We must follow the footsteps of the great saints and devotees. Within this material world one may become a brilliant intellectual, a powerful politician, a philanthropist, a great businessman or an admired pop star. But ultimately all of this is useless and one has to return to birth and death in these material realms. Even those engage in the spiritual paths, have to understand about the higher purpose in life. It doesn't matter whether one is a karmi, jnani, yogi, or whatever; spiritual search will not be successful unless one has developed love for the lotus feet of the Lord. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

Real spiritual life is not necessarily about changing our position in society. It is about transforming our hearts. One can be in business, in education, a mother or father, a farmer, a doctor, a lawyer, an engineer, a politician. One can even be a swami. But when we overcome selfishness and learn the beauty and art of selflessness - seva or selfless service - spirituality is meant to transform arrogance into humility, greed into generosity, vengeance into forgiveness, hate into love, criticism into appreciation, hopeless into hopefulness - it is meant to transform us into becoming instruments of the inner peace that is in our heart with God. That is the real journey home. The journey of transformation, of understanding that there is a power beyond our own, the power of God that can enthuse us, inspire us and empower us to be real instruments of change.

Friday, October 4, 2013

http://mydomainpvt.wordpress.com - Today is Shubho Mahalaya, the first day of the biggest celebration of Bengalis - Durgapuja. The mythological story in which Mother Goddess Durga have slain Mahishasura who conquered three worlds- heaven, hell, earth after defeating everyone. That war was fought in Spring, that is, in April (mostly), but when Ramchandra declared war against Ravana - in another mythological story Ramayana - he worshipped the Goddess during autumn, to have her blessings in his war and he received so, he defeated Ravana. That is why this puja is called Akalbodhan, and the actual war was fought during the ten days of Basantipuja, that is performed in very few families. Mahalaya marks the beginning of Durga Puja and Navratri.The festival of Navratri celebrates the victory of Good over Evil. Unable to bear the persecution by the demon Mahishasura the Gods had approached Lord Vishnu to help them out of the predicament. Following this plea the powers of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva were combined to create a powerful Goddess with ten arms - Goddess Durga, the unapproachable. Riding on a lion, this fearsome Goddess engaged Mahisasura in a fierce battle which culminated in the felling of the demon at the hands of the Goddess. Even today, the idols of the Goddess depict her killing the fearsome demon with her trident. Durga Puja in Bengal is also considered as the homecoming of the Mother. For Bengalis this is one of the most important festivals and preparations start for it months back. One of the time-honored customs is to gift new clothes to near and dear ones.

Mahalaya is the day to invoke and invite the Goddess Durga to earth. Mahalaya marks the beginning of Navratri and Durga Puja. Goddess Durga came to earth to destroy the demon Mahishasura. Since only a woman was capable of killing the demon king, Shakti or female power took the form of Goddess Durga to kill him. The Goddess was empowered with different weapons of the Gods and after a fierce battle, the Goddess killed the demon. Thus, She came to be known as “Mahishasuramardini” or the slayer of Mahishasura. Bengali people traditionally wake up early in the morning on Mahalaya to recite this history. Through the recitation of the verses and mantras, the Goddess is invoked and it is believed that She comes to the earth to destroy all evil. She comes down from her abode along with her family to bless humans and other creatures on earth with her divine blessings. Our spiritual masters have taught us that Goddess Durga is one of the many manifestations of the Great Goddess Mother of the whole universe. When there is a great danger in the universe, the mother Goddess Durga becomes good and right states, destroying evil. She always takes refuge in the Lord's service and protects devotees. Mother Durga is the wife of Lord Siva and is responsible for the material world. She is a faithful and devoted wife of Lord Shiva, who is considered the best of devotees. Being a devotee of a devotee is the highest position and is what most pleases the Supreme Lord. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

Durga Puja is the biggest Hindu festival in Bengal. Goddess Durga is worshipped with pomp and dedication through out this celebration. Navaratri is a nine-day festival, followed by the tenth day of victory, vijayadasmi. This festival is celebrated in honor of three most important Hindu goddesses. Only the combined force of all three divine deities, manifested as the female form Mahishasura Mardini, was able to destroy the powerful demon Mahishasura. ... The philosophical and symbolic concept of Navaratri points out that the demon Mahishasura is our own ego within, and the goddess to destroy is the all-powerful Shakti of spiritual internal meditation, through which the energy is moved from the lower chakras of violence, lust, and greed to the higher chakras of goodness, knowledge, and charity. In this festival of Navratri, devotees dance and pray to the goddess to triumph over the demon of ego. In the defeat of their own ego, they finally emerge victorious!

Thursday, October 3, 2013

www.bbc.co.uk - At least 130 African migrants have died and many more are missing after a boat carrying them to Europe sank off the southern Italian island of Lampedusa. A total of 103 bodies have been recovered and more have been found inside the wreck, coast guards say. Passengers reportedly threw themselves into the sea when a fire broke out on board. More than 150 of the migrants have been rescued.Most of those on board were from Eritrea and Somalia, said the UN. The boat was believed to have been carrying up to 500 people at the time and some 200 of them are unaccounted for. Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said the ship had come from Misrata in Libya and began taking on water when its motor stopped working.It is thought that some of those on board set fire to a piece of material to try to attract the attention of passing ships, only to have the fire spread to the rest of the boat. Simona Moscarelli, a spokeswoman from the International Organization for Migration in Rome, told the BBC that in order to escape the fire, “the migrants moved, all of them, to one side of the boat which capsized”. She estimated that only six of about 100 women on board survived, adding that most of the migrants were unable to swim. “Only the strongest survived,” she said.It is one of the worst such disasters to occur off the Italian coast in recent years; Prime Minister Enrico Letta tweeted that it was “an immense tragedy”. The government has declared a day of national mourning on Friday.

A boat carrying an estimated 500 people caught fire and capsized near Lampedusa, the closest Italian island to Africa, which has become a destination for tens of thousands of refugees seeking to enter European Union countries. Over the years there have been numerous disasters involving migrants off this island and such deadly shipwrecks are all too common. Alan Johnston, from BBC News, Rome, explains that “Furious demands are being made for an end to the dangerous trafficking of people across the Mediterranean.” The material world is certainly full of miseries. Guided only by their selfish ends people practice different ways of aggression towards others. One of them is trafficking people. One of the methods is transporting people into exploitative conditions by taking advantage of their urgent needs. Insensible men deceive migrant workers who want to escape poverty and improve their lives and send money back to their families. To get a quick gain money, traffickers put desperate migrant people in deadly risks by transporting them by sea in insecure boats. This is very sad. It's just another example of the atmosphere of greed, deceit and despair in which we live. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

What the world needs for true happiness is a shift; from exploitation to service, arrogance to humility, selfish cruelty to compassion and hatred to love. ... In a person who understands the self, there can be no ego, there can be no hatred towards anyone. There can only be love, and there is compassion for those who are unfortunate. That is knowledge of the truth. ... Do everything you have to do, but not with greed, not with ego, not with lust, not with envy;but with love, compassion, humility and devotion. This is the teaching of the Bhagavad-Gita. ... Be whoever you want to be, but don’t be motivated by greed, egoism, lust, envy, anger and pride; rather, be motivated by your own inherent nature, as an instrument of God’s compassion. ... The real disease is selfishness and the real cure is selfless service.